So, the Esprit wasn't really handling the Welsh hills well and we decided on a Woosh Big Bear LS as a substitute. Having spoken to Hatti about measurements we ordered ( without trying one) this week as they have a 6% price rise at the end of the month. So a heart in mouth moment as we unpacked it yesterday, would it suit?
First impressions: a simple sturdy looking machine, clean and uncluttered. First words from my wife were,'ooh, I like the colour'. So that's alright then! Only had to mount the bars and pedals, then check round nuts and bolts. Wasn't prepared for the size of the tyres, they are fat and knobbly. The handle bars put me in mind of what we used to call 'cow horns', as a lad. Unfortunately by the time the battery was charged is was raining welsh style, so test ride had to wait until today.
Just back from a ten mile shake out ride with many stops for saddle and bar position tweaks and coffee. I think we're getting there. Achieving the very upright, no weight on the wrists, position that my girl seems to like. We had the NCX seat post version and that's working well. (That backward arcing motion is a bit strange at first though.) Gear change is smooth and precise and quiet. The motor, compared to my Ezee Mk2, seems noisier but capable. Not sure yet of comparible speed/power settings. Riding side by side on the flat, both on setting 2, I was pulling away whilst only rotating the pedals, no effort going in. However the Bear got up a vicious switch back hill that has defeated her in the past, so that's good. The front disc brake seems a little wanting, I'm hoping it will bed in with use. The battery clicks nicely onto the integrated controller making a neat unit. Overall build quality seems good and the wiring tidy. So we took a risk ordering without trying but we knew we wanted more power and Dutch styling, I think it's going to work out.
Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?
Now, does anyone want a Giant Esprit? Great commuter bike, so long as there's no really serious hills!
First impressions: a simple sturdy looking machine, clean and uncluttered. First words from my wife were,'ooh, I like the colour'. So that's alright then! Only had to mount the bars and pedals, then check round nuts and bolts. Wasn't prepared for the size of the tyres, they are fat and knobbly. The handle bars put me in mind of what we used to call 'cow horns', as a lad. Unfortunately by the time the battery was charged is was raining welsh style, so test ride had to wait until today.
Just back from a ten mile shake out ride with many stops for saddle and bar position tweaks and coffee. I think we're getting there. Achieving the very upright, no weight on the wrists, position that my girl seems to like. We had the NCX seat post version and that's working well. (That backward arcing motion is a bit strange at first though.) Gear change is smooth and precise and quiet. The motor, compared to my Ezee Mk2, seems noisier but capable. Not sure yet of comparible speed/power settings. Riding side by side on the flat, both on setting 2, I was pulling away whilst only rotating the pedals, no effort going in. However the Bear got up a vicious switch back hill that has defeated her in the past, so that's good. The front disc brake seems a little wanting, I'm hoping it will bed in with use. The battery clicks nicely onto the integrated controller making a neat unit. Overall build quality seems good and the wiring tidy. So we took a risk ordering without trying but we knew we wanted more power and Dutch styling, I think it's going to work out.
Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?
Now, does anyone want a Giant Esprit? Great commuter bike, so long as there's no really serious hills!
